Mushtaq Ghani Calls for Unity, Demands Release of PTI Founder Amid Regional Tensions

Rawalpindi – Former Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Mushtaq Ghani, has stressed the urgent need for national unity, citing escalating regional tensions including the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and India’s posture on Pakistan’s eastern border. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Ghani demanded that the legal cases against the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) be heard and called for his immediate release to foster national cohesion.
Ghani expressed his frustration after being denied access to meet the PTI founder, despite his name being on the approved visitors list. “I’ve come here many times before for meetings. Today again, I was stopped at a police checkpoint on Adiala Road. I had an argument with the police—I asked them, are we not Pakistanis? I’m unarmed, just here for a meeting,” he said.
He lamented the country’s political divide during a time of international crisis. “It’s painful to see division when unity is needed most. Iran is at war with Israel, and India stands on our eastern border. Instead of promoting unity, we are creating more rifts,” he said.
Ghani emphasized Pakistan’s alignment with Iran and the Palestinian cause. “We must stand with Iran. Gaza has been turned into a graveyard by Israel, with 80,000 Palestinians martyred. I am confident Iran will not surrender. The entire Muslim Ummah must support Iran.”
Calling for the release of the PTI founder, he warned against public resentment. “If we want to unite the nation, we must hear the cases and release the PTI founder. Don’t invite public curses.”
He also noted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly had passed a strong resolution condemning Israel. “The PTI founder is not fully aware of the external situation due to being in jail. Political figures should be allowed to meet him and update him on national and international developments. He has always been against Israel—and still is.”